My daughter gets SO excited about her birthday. I always worry that the reality is going to be a letdown, but it's never seemed that way. That might be due to the birthday traditions that have been going on since she was 2. Because Emily was always a heavy sleeper, I was able to go into her room and decorate it after she fell asleep. Streamers, balloons, and curled ribbon were hung from every surface, so that when she woke up, the room would be transformed. It was a lot of work. The tradition also requires me to hang streamers in the kitchen, family room and in the doorways. She's an only child! About 2 years ago, I thought we were kind of done with doing the bedroom, but when I talked to her, she said no way. Last year I decorated it while she lay in her darkened room with her eyes closed. It was still the first thing she saw in the morning. Emily came home from the football game last night to find the birthday flag hanging outside, but no inside decorations. So, while I sat on the couch trying to watch Gray's Anatomy, she got out the birthday box and put the streamers up in the kitchen and family room, and put the HB sign and Birthday bear by the mantle. While she was still downstairs, I went up and decorated her bedroom. This morning I surprised her with the cupcakes, balloons, and her gift, Bose speakers for her computer. You'll see that she's wearing a crown. She's posed in that crown on her birthday since she was 1. Yes, I'm all about traditions.

PS... I'm make sure Emily sees all your birthday wishes. Thank you!